Medicinal Cannabis: Advances in Therapeutics and Clinical Applications

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Discovery, Development and Delivery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 1625

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Planted in Science Consulting, LLC, St Augustine, FL 32080, USA
2. PhD in Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
Interests: cannabidiol; pharmaceuticals; pharmacokinetics; opioid use disorder

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As cannabis products continue to proliferate in medicinal and recreational markets, this Special Issue of Biomedicines will focus on recent updates related to the product formulation, therapeutic applications, and safety of cannabis products. Submissions are welcome on the following topics: 

  1. Pharmacology and mechanism of action

- Research elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other bioactive cannabis compounds.

- Discovery of biomarkers useful for indicating cannabis-associated health effects.

- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of cannabis-based treatments. 

  1. Clinical applications

- Clinical trial data on the use of cannabis to treat health conditions.

- The role of cannabis in special populations (pediatric, geriatric). 

  1. Advancements in cannabis-based pharmaceuticals

- Innovations in formulations, delivery systems, and development of cannabis-based medicines. 

  1. Safety

- Studies assessing the safety of cannabis formulations with special focus on long-term usage and drug interaction potential. 

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and current overview of medicinal cannabis. Submissions should contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of cannabis and help guide its use in modern medical practice.

Dr. Erin Berthold
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • medicinal cannabis
  • cannabidiol (CBD)
  • cannabigerol (CBG)
  • cannabinoid
  • cannabinol (CBN)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2870 KiB  
Article
Comparative Effects of THC and CBD on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: Insights from a Large Real-World Self-Reported Dataset
by Ravit Geva, Tali Hana Bar-Lev, Lee Ahuva Lavi Kutchuk, Tali Schaffer, Dan Mirelman, Sharon Pelles-Avraham, Ido Wolf and Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider
Biomedicines 2025, 13(8), 1921; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13081921 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Background/Objective: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common dose-limiting adverse effect of various chemotherapeutic agents. Previous work demonstrated that cannabis alleviates symptoms of oxaliplatin-induced CIPN. To evaluate the effects of cannabis components, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), on CIPN-related symptoms. Methods: We reviewed [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common dose-limiting adverse effect of various chemotherapeutic agents. Previous work demonstrated that cannabis alleviates symptoms of oxaliplatin-induced CIPN. To evaluate the effects of cannabis components, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), on CIPN-related symptoms. Methods: We reviewed a patient-reported outcomes dataset from “Tikun Olam,” a major medical cannabis provider. Of 1493 patients, 802 reported at least one CIPN symptom at baseline, including a burning sensation, cold sensation, paresthesia (prickling) and numbness, and 751 of them met the study inclusion criteria. Patients were categorized into THC-high/CBD-low and CBD-high/THC-low groups. Symptom changes after six months of cannabis use were analyzed using K-means clustering and logistic regression, incorporating interactions between baseline symptoms and THC and CBD doses. Linear regression assessed changes in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL). Results: Both groups reported symptom improvement. The THC-high group showed significantly greater improvement in burning sensation and cold sensation (p = 0.024 and p = 0.008). Improvements in ADL and QOL were also significantly higher in the THC group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.006). A significant interaction between THC and CBD was observed for symptom improvement (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Cannabis effectively reduces CIPN symptoms and improves QOL and ADL. Higher THC doses were more effective than lower doses, with combined CBD and THC doses yielding greater symptom relief. Full article
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16 pages, 1131 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Cognitive Improvement Following Treatment with a Hemp-Derived, Full-Spectrum, High-Cannabidiol Product in Patients with Anxiety: An Open-Label Pilot Study
by Rosemary T. Smith, Mary Kathryn Dahlgren, Kelly A. Sagar, Deniz Kosereisoglu and Staci A. Gruber
Biomedicines 2025, 13(8), 1874; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13081874 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 909
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid touted for a variety of medical benefits, including alleviation of anxiety. While legalization of hemp-derived products in the United States (containing ≤0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [d9-THC] by weight) has led to a rapid increase in the commercialization [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid touted for a variety of medical benefits, including alleviation of anxiety. While legalization of hemp-derived products in the United States (containing ≤0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol [d9-THC] by weight) has led to a rapid increase in the commercialization of hemp-derived CBD products, most therapeutic claims have not been substantiated using clinical trials. This trial aimed to assess the impact of 6 weeks of treatment with a proprietary hemp-derived, full-spectrum, high-CBD sublingual solution similar to those available in the marketplace in patients with anxiety. Methods: An open-label pilot clinical trial (NCT04286594) was conducted in 12 patients with at least moderate levels of anxiety. Patients self-administered a hemp-derived, high-CBD sublingual solution twice daily during the 6-week trial (target daily dose: 30 mg/day CBD). Clinical change over time relative to baseline was assessed for anxiety, mood, sleep, and quality of life, as well as changes in cognitive performance on measures of executive function and memory. Safety and tolerability of the study product were also evaluated. Results: Patients reported significant reductions in anxiety symptoms over time. Concurrent improvements in mood, sleep, and relevant quality of life domains were also observed, along with stable or improved performance on all neurocognitive measures. Few side effects were reported, and no serious adverse events occurred. Conclusions: These pilot findings provide initial support for the efficacy and tolerability of the hemp-derived, high-CBD product in patients with moderate-to-severe levels of anxiety. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are indicated to obtain robust data regarding efficacy and tolerability of these types of products for anxiety. Full article
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